As the Oakland Raiders begin their quest to reverse an ever-mounting recent history of anything but excellence, they’ll do so without two key players.
According to David White of the San Francisco Chronicle, the Raiders opened camp (meetings only on day one) without defensive end Derrick Burgess and receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey.
DHB’s absence is excused; the seventh overall pick in the 2009 draft has yet to sign a contract. (And with receiver Michael Crabtree hoping to blow the curve from the tenth spot, DHB’s agents likely will wait to do a deal until they’re sure it’ll compare favorably to Crabtree’s.)
Burgess, however, is a different story. He’s under contract, and so he’s subject to a daily fine in excess of $17,000.
The Raiders reportedly tried to trade Burgess in the offseason, but they found no takers. When Greg Ellis was signed several weeks back, some thought that Burgess would either be dealt or released.